Jump to content

Feb. 23 1945


dib

Recommended Posts

Marines raise the American flag over Mt. Suribachi. The second flag raising gives us the iconic photo we know today.

 

"Among the Americans serving on Iwo island, uncommon valor was a common virtue." (Adm. Chester A. Nimitz)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I saw a recent program that said Japan has re-named the Island back to it's original name, Iwo To. Both Jima and To mean island in Japanese.

 

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2007/06/19/Jap...82601182279039/

 

For many years after the battle/war, the Island was off base for virtually everyone, sans commemorative events. Now they're uncovering the incredible tunnels and caves that made it a city-under-a-city.

 

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http:/...ved=0CAoQ9QEwAA

 

Semper Fidelis!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just to add some perspective:

Iwo was invaded on Feb. 19th.

The flag was raised on the 23rd.

The island was completely secured on March 26th.

In other words, when the flag was raised, 90% of the battle (including the worst of it - e.g. Turkey Knob, the Ampitheater) still had to be fought.

 

 

Also...as a base for fighter escort and an emergency field for B-29s, it is likely (but not possible to prove) that the battle for Iwo Jima saved more American pilots than it killed American Marines.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just to add some perspective:

Iwo was invaded on Feb. 19th.

The flag was raised on the 23rd.

The island was completely secured on March 26th.

In other words, when the flag was raised, 90% of the battle (including the worst of it - e.g. Turkey Knob, the Ampitheater) still had to be fought.

 

 

Also...as a base for fighter escort and an emergency field for B-29s, it is likely (but not possible to prove) that the battle for Iwo Jima saved more American pilots than it killed American Marines.

 

Also, four of the flag raisers were killed before the battle ended

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...